Wednesday, 3 August 2016

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Anambra State arrested a 31-year-old man on July 28, for allegedly peddling hard drug worth N1.78 billion.

The Commander, Mr. Sule Momodu, said the suspect identified as Vincent Chidiebere was arrested in Awka, the state capital, with methamphetamine weighing 25.2kg. A kilogramme of the drug cost about $150,000.

He said the arrest was made following a tip-off that a shipment of the drug would pass through Anambra from Enugu to Lagos. Speaking to reporters, he said:

"Based on the information, we set up a team to search vehicles from a particular company. About 11am we intercepted a vehicle carrying the substance and nabbed the suspect."

Momodu, described the drug as "one of the most potent illicit drugs in the world, which has a lot of destructive tendencies on the user, adding that anyone under the influence of the dangerous drug can be influenced to make disastrous decisions. He said the chemicals used for the production were highly toxic and could cause permanent destruction to the eco-system.

"The waste from the drug is more toxic than the extracted substance. The people around where it is being produced are likely to be exposed to cancer and other incurable diseases, while children born in the area are likely to be deformed."

The Commander said that apart from the three methamphetamine laboratories discovered at Nanka, Ozubulu and Obosi, he believed more exist. Momodu urged the public to volunteer information that could help to stop the illicit venture, adding that the State Governor, Willie Obiano pledged a reward of N500,000 to anyone with useful information.

"Most of the methamphetamine being produced are meant for Asian countries," Momodu said.

The suspect will be arraigned before court on completion of investigation.